The denial of Jesus by Peter, while horrible, is softened a bit by how John presents it.  This is comforting to me.  Because if someone as strong and as courageous as Peter who is “rock” solid so many times in John’s gospel makes a mistake (and is later forgiven by Jesus (see John 21), it gives me hope when I mess up.  When I do not feel so strong or bold in the face of opposition, I can see how even the best of us can fall and rise again.  Have you messed up?  All is not lost and there is still hope for you to restore your good name just as Peter, the rock, did.